Tuesday, December 13, 2016

LEGAZPI CITY 12/13/16--The Catanduanes Provincial Police Office (PPO) has charged 11 suspects at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in connection with the discovery of a clandestine “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) laboratory in Barangay Palta Small in Virac, Catanduanes more than two weeks ago.

Jayson Uy

Sr. Supt. Jeffrey Fernandez, director of Catanduanes PPO, said in his report Monday to Chief Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, director of Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5), that in their amended complaint filed over the weekend, the 11 suspects were charged with violation of section 8 of Republic Act 9165 which penalizes the manufacture of dangerous drugs/and or controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

Fernandez identified the suspects as Paulo Uy and Jayson Gonzales Uy, allegedly the operators of the shabu lab who have remained at large.

Lorenzo Pirena II, the caretaker who was arrested during the Nov. 26 raid in the shabu facility, and Angelica Balmadrid, owner of the warehouse leased by the Uys that was converted into a secret shabu laboratory, were included in the charge sheet.

Also charged were Paulo Wee Palisoc, two Korean nationals identified as Phung Yuan Estoco and She Wang and a certain “Tore.” Fernandez did not indicate the role of these four suspects in the shabu lab’s operation.

Fernandez said three others have been charged as accessories to the crime. They were identified as Lorenzo Pirena IV, and brothers Dennis and Roel Samonte.

The 11 suspects were charged in inquest proceedings at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor headed by Francisco A. Samonte Jr.

Fernandez said the anti-illegal drugs lawmen are still investigating the other possible suspects responsible for the operation of the shabu lab.

Sr. Insp. Ma. Luisa Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said there are groups of trackers that have been deployed by Buenafe to locate and arrest Jayson and Paulo Uy.

The duo are considered as the important missing links to other possible suspects involved in operations of the shabu lab in Virac town. (by Jorge Hallare, PNA)